An Oregon family that was terrorized by its 22-pound cat, called 911 for help as they were holed up – with a baby and a dog – in a bedroom, now say they plan to get their cat psychological help.
The bizarre case of the crazed cat attracted international attention after Portland police issued a news release on Monday about the incident under the headline “Central precinct officers rescue family from ferocious feline.” Officials also released the five-minute 911 call during which the 4-year-old Himalayan named Lux can be heard screeching in the background as its owner, Lee Palmer, describes the situation.
“I have kind of a particular emergency here,” Palmer told the dispatcher. “My cat attacked our 7-month-old child and I kicked the cat in the rear and it just went off over the edge and we aren’t safe around the cat. It’s a very large Himalayan. And we are trapped in our bedroom. He won’t let us out of our door.”
The baby suffered some small cuts and punctures to his face, but was not seriously injured. Palmer later said the baby pulled the cat’s tail, which aggravated the animal, which already had a nasty disposition.
“He’s kind of got a history of violence,” Palmer told the dispatcher. “He’s kind of a violent cat already.”
Palmer described the animal as “very, very hostile” and said it was charging at the family through the locked door. He also told the dispatcher to tell police to “be careful.”
“Officers arrived and cautiously opened the door to the residence, where they saw the black and white Himalayan dart into the kitchen, attempting to flee custody,” police said in a statement. “Officers were able to outwit the high-strung Himalayan, who climbed on to the top of the refrigerator, and get a snare around the cat and safely get the cat behind bars in its crate.”
That’s when the family was told to come out of the bedroom. Police left Lux with them.
The family said Wednesday that Lux will head to the vet and will see an animal psychologist.
“We’re not getting rid of him right now,” Palmer told the Associated Press. “He’s been part of our family for a long time.”
h/t Regina Leader-Post Photo Lee Palmer
